Undergraduate Catalog 2023-2024

Paralegal Studies, Certificate (1757)


Program Coordinator

Julia F. Shadoan, julie.shadoan@wku.edu, (270) 745-2539

Program Requirements (21 hours)

This pre-professional certificate combines legal theory and professional skills preparing graduates for immediate employment or advancement within the field. The certificate can be earned as part of a degree program or as a stand-alone credential. Students are required to complete a minimum of nine hours of legal specialty credits in synchronous format. It requires completion of 15 hours of legal specialty core courses and 6 hours of legal specialty course electives as follows:
Legal Specialty Core Courses (15 hours)
PLS 225Introduction to Law3
PLS 200Legal Ethics3
PLS 250Legal Research and Writing I3
PLS 291Criminal Law and Procedure3
PLS 393Civil Procedure3
Legal Specialty Elective Courses (6 hours)6
Choose 2 PLS courses except PLS 200, PLS 225, PLS 250, PLS 291, PLS 294, PLS 324, PLS 375, PLS 393, or PLS 400
Total Hours21